Cellular Telephone and Personal Digital Assistant

ABSTRACT

The handheld personal electronic device has a first body having a display, a second body having a plurality of manual inputs, the second body capable of attachment to the first body, the personal electronic device having an open position wherein the display of the first body and the manual inputs of the second body are accessibly exposed. And, the personal electronic device having a closed position wherein the display of the first body is protected by the second body and the manual inputs of the second body are accessibly exposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to personal communications systems,including, but not limited to cellular telephones, personal digitalassistants, pagers, and internet appliances.

2. Problems in the Art

The present invention relates to personal electronic devices andpersonal communication systems and many problems associated with suchdevices. One of the most recognized problems relates to hands-freecommunication. In voice communication systems, such as cellulartelephones, it is more convenient and safer for voice communications tooccur without requiring the use of hands. Many attempts have been madeat solving this problem, resulting in cords running between headsets andcellular telephones, heavy and bulky headset units, and relatedproblematic solutions. Another problem concerning personal electronicdevices and personal communication systems is the increasing complexityof such devices. As technology improves, additional functionality hasbeen given to cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers,internet appliances, and other personal electronic devices. Increasingthe complexity of the device generally involves increasing the number ofbuttons or controls associated with the device or otherwise making adevice more hands intensive in operation.

Thus there is an even more pronounced problem when additionalfunctionality is given to a personal digital assistant, cellulartelephone, or related personal electronic device when that personalelectronic device has been designed to provide additional functionality.The number of controls is increasingly providing greater difficulties inoperating the device and there are greater difficulties in accessing thecontrols or buttons on the device. This is particularly true where someof the controls, such as a touch screen are protected.

Therefore, it is a primary objective, feature, or advantage of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus, and system which improve uponthe state of the art.

It is another objective, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a system and apparatus of personal communication.

It is another objective, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a system and apparatus of hands-free communication.

It is a further objective, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a system and apparatus having accessible access touser controls.

It is a further objective, feature or advantage of the present inventionto provide a system and apparatus that provides simplified access to atouch screen display.

It is a further objective, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a personal electronic device that includes acellular transceiver and a personal digital assistant.

It is another objective, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a system and apparatus that includes a cellular transceiver,a personal digital assistant, and a pager.

It is a further objective, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a personal electronic device with a telephonekeypad and a touch screen display, the telephone keypad and the touchscreen display being simultaneously accessible.

These and other objectives, features, or advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to the physicalconfiguration of a personal electronic device. The personal electronicdevice has a first body and a second body. In addition, there is meansfor connecting the first body to the second body. There is means forslidably moving the first body with respect to the second body and meansfor pivotally moving the first body with respect to the second body.This configuration of the present invention provides advantages overflip open-type devices. For example, when the first body has a displayand the second body has a keypad, when in a closed position the personalelectronic device allows the user access to the buttons on the keypad.In an open position the user has access to both the keypad as well asthe display such as a touch-screen display.

Another aspect of the present invention is a system which includes thepersonal electronic device of the present invention in addition to anearpiece worn by the user. The earpiece may communicate with thepersonal electronic device through a short-range transceiver. Theearpiece may include a bone conduction sensor and an air conductionsensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a personal electronic device worn by a personaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a representation of the earpiece of the present inventionfitted on the ear.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the layout for the personal electronic device ofthe present invention in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a view of the personal electronic device of the presentinvention in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the personal electronic device of the presentinvention in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the personal electronic device of the presentinvention in a closed position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the personal electronic device with a slidehinge.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the personal electronic device with the telephonetransceiver portion positioned at an angle relative to the PDA portion.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the personal electronic device in a closedposition.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a hinged embodiment of the personal electronicdevice in an open position.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a hinged embodiment of the personal electronicdevice in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a personal electronic device according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a slidably mounted personal electronic device ofthe present invention in closed position.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a slidably mounted personal electronic device ofthe present invention in a tilted position.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the personal electronic device of the presentinvention in another tilted position.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a removable embodiment of the personalelectronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the removable cellular portion embodiment of thepresent invention in a docked position.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the personal electronic device of the presentinvention having a display and buttons accessible on each side of thedevice.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention having adisplay in a closed position.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the personal electronic device in wirelesscommunication with an earpiece.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the earpiece of the present invention fittedwithin an ear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferredembodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited tothe described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover allmodifications and alternatives which may be included within the spiritand scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the personal electronic device 2 of the present inventionas worn by a person. The personal electronic device as shown has adisplay 4 such as in a standard telephone transceiver. The device may beworn on a belt 6 as shown or may be placed in a pocket or may be carriedby the person. Another addition to the system includes the earpiece 10worn by the person.

FIG. 2 shows a pictorial representation of the earpiece 10 as worn in aperson's ear. The earpiece has an external ear canal portion 12 which isfitted within the ear. The earpiece 10 has an ear attachment portion 14fitted around the ear. The earpiece 10 in its preferred form houses aprocessor 16 and a transceiver 18.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of thepersonal electronic device 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, thepersonal electronic device 2 has a clip 20. The clip is used to attachthe personal electronic device to a belt or pocket. The personalelectronic device 2 also has a keypad 22. The keypad 22 may be astandard 12 key keypad such as typically used on telephones and cellulartelephones. The present invention contemplates that additional functionbuttons 24 or other inputs may be used to provide additionalfunctionality to the personal electronic device 2. The personalelectronic device 2 may have a hinge 26. The hinge 26 permits thepersonal electronic device 2 to open. The opening of the personalelectronic device 2 may be facilitated by an open button 36. The openbutton may be spring loaded or may be otherwise constructed to cause thepersonal electronic device 2 to open upon depression and/or release ofopen button 36.

It is to be further appreciated that the open button need not bemechanically connected to the hinge. The open button may simply be abutton causing a digital signal change when pressed and/or released. Thepersonal electronic device monitors the button's digital signal and whenthe open button signal changes an actuator is activated that opens thepersonal electronic device. The present invention contemplates this andother variations whereby a user can conveniently open the personalelectronic device through use of a switch, button, latch, hook, or otherphysical means that is operated manually by a user or through voiceactivation or other electronic control.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the bottom of the personal electronic device 2.The personal electronic device 2 may include an access port 32 and/or avibration module 34. The access port 32 is used to provide additionalfunctionality and communication capability. The access port may be aserial interface port such as for RS232 serial or USB. The access portmay be an ethernet port, a firewire port, an infrared port conforming tothe IrDA standard or other infrared standard. Wireless interfaces suchas Bluetooth may also be used to provide access. The present inventioncontemplates that other types of interfaces may be used as may be knownin the art.

The vibration module 34 is used to add tactile alert functionality to apersonal electronic device 2. The vibration module 34 may contain one ormore vibration motors. Preferably, the vibration motor is both small andlow power. The personal electronic device 2 can be used as a pager or asa telephone, and when incoming calls or notifications are received, thevibration module can vibrate to alert the user of the message. Thepresent invention also contemplates that the vibration module 34 can beused to alert the user of electronic messages or other events such asmay be useful or desirable for the user to immediately be made aware of.For example, the vibration module may be activated by software executingon the PDA portion 28 of the device. Thus alarms may be set for anypurpose including notifying a person of appointments, other reminders,incoming messages, or other reasons that may be useful or otherwisedesirable.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the personal electronic device 2 of thepresent invention in an open position. One or more hinges 26 are openedto provide access to the PDA portion 28 of the personal electronicdevice 2. The term PDA is defined as a hand-held computer. The PDAportion 28 may include a touch screen 38 as well as additional PDAbuttons 30 to add more functionality to the personal electronic device2. The personal electronic device 2 may also have a transceiver 52available. The use of transceiver 52 will be further explained in thecontext of the invention.

The PDA portion 28 may be an embedded computer or other device. Forexample, the PDA 28 may run Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows CE, thePalm OS, or other operating systems. The present invention is in no waylimited by the type of processor used in the PDA, the operating systemused by the PDA, or other variations. The PDA may be used for sendinge-mail, taking notes, organizing one's schedule, web browsing,performing calculations, or any other function associated with a PDA ora computer. The PDA may include handwriting recognition functionality asmay be known in the art. Examples of handwriting recognition softwarefor Windows CE include ParaGraph's CALLIGRAPHER handwriting recognizerand Microsoft's TRANSCRIBER software. The PDA may also includespecialized software. For example, when the PDA runs Windows CE, thesoftware applications may be written in Microsoft Visual C++ orMicrosoft Visual Basic or with any other computer language or softwaredevelopment tool. When the earpiece includes a bone conduction sensor,air conduction sensor, and a stereo transceiver, and the personalelectronic device 2 includes a stereo transceiver as well, the PDA canbe programmed to receive the stereo signals and perform processing toimprove the speech signal. In addition, the PDA may also include voicerecognition software so that when voice information is received, whetherit be stereo or mono audio signals, the voice information may be used tocontrol the PDA, control the telephone transceiver for voice to textapplications, or other purposes. In addition, the voice software foundon the PDA may be used in conjunction with audio received over thetelephone transceiver. One example of voice recognition softwareavailable for Windows CE is ARTRECOGNITION from Advanced RecognitionTechnologies, Inc.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of personal electronic device 2. In FIG.6 the telephone transceiver portion of the personal electronic device 2has a keypad 22 and also additional function buttons 24 available. Useof the term “telephone transceiver” should be construed broadly as toinclude radio telephones, cellular telephones, satellite telephones, andother types of voice communications devices. The function buttons 24 maybe for use with the PDA. The cellular transceiver portion of thepersonal electronic device fits over the PDA portion of the device. Arelease button 40 may be used to cause the personal electronic device 2to open. The release buttons 40 may be located on the side of thepersonal electronic device 2.

FIG. 7 shows the personal electronic device 2 in an open position. Thepersonal electronic device 2 opens in a manner such that both the PDAportion of the device and the cellular transceiver portion of the deviceare both accessible at the same time. The present invention contemplatesthat this functionality may be accomplished in numerous ways. Forexample, a slide hinge 41 is shown. The slide hinge 41 allows thecellular transceiver portion of personal electronic device 2 to slidepast the PDA portion of the personal electronic device 2, so that boththe cellular transceiver and the PDA are accessible at the same time.This configuration also permits the PDA display or touch screen to beprotected when in a closed position. More than one slide hinge may beused, such as a slide hinge on each side of the device as shown. Thepresent invention further contemplates that the PDA buttons 24 need notbe accessible such that the cellular portion may completely cover thePDA portion when in a closed position.

FIG. 8 shows the personal electronic device 2 with a slide hinge 41. Asshown, hinge 41 permits the telephone portion of the personal electronicdevice to open such that both the telephone key pad buttons 22 and thePDA portion 28 are available at the same time. A knob or button 42 maybe used to secure the position of the slide hinge 41. The presentinvention permits the angle of the telephone portion relative to the PDAportion to be adjusted.

FIG. 9 shows the personal electronic device 2 in a closed position. Whenin a closed position, the key pad buttons 22 are still available and thedisplay 4 is also viewable. In addition, the PDA buttons 24 are alsoavailable as well.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the personal electronic device 2 with an interiorlymounted slide hinge 43. The present invention contemplates that theangle between the telephone portion and the PDA portion may be adjustedby altering the position of the interiorly mounted slide hinge 43 orpivoting on the pivot points of the interiorly mounted slide hinge 43.

The present invention also contemplates that a lateral hinge may beused. The lateral hinge allows the personal electronic device 2 to beopened in a manner such that both the PDA portion and the cellulartelephone keypad portion are accessible at the same time. The presentinvention also contemplates other variations such as one or more slidehinges, lateral hinges, collapsible hinges, slide joints, lateral jointsor similar mechanisms. The present invention also contemplates that aratchet mechanism may be built into a hinge or otherwise used to openthe personal electronic device 2. Using a ratchet mechanism or otherdevice, the personal electronic device is constructed in a manner thatpermits the personal electronic device 2 to be opened at various angles.For example, the personal electronic device 2 may be opened at a full180° angle such that both the PDA portion and the cellular portion areflat. In addition, other angles may be used such as 60°, 90°, 120°,150°. This permits additional flexibility for the user in that an LCDdisplay on the cellular phone portion may be better viewed, keys may bemore easily accessed, glare on the PDA's display may be eliminated orreduced, or for other reasons that a particular use or environment maysuggest.

It should be readily apparent that the present invention may beimplemented in a number of different ways with regards to the specificconstruction techniques used to allow the device to open in a mannersuch that both the keypad and the touch screen are accessible when thedevice is in an open position. As previously discussed, a ratchet wheelcan be used with inner teeth for compact assembly or outer teeth.Motorized opening and closing is also facilitated with the motorizedoperating of the ratchet wheel. When a ratchet mechanism is used theremay be multiple pawls placed side by side for finer adjustment of theangle of the keypad portion relative to the touch screen displayportion. In addition, a flexible coil can be used, the flexible coilallowing the position of the keypad portion to be adjusted with respectto the touch screen portion. The keypad portion may slide into position.The slide mechanism may be located on the side of the device and mayinclude slots along the side of the device or other implementation. Inaddition, the device may be configured such that the keypad portion isslidably mounted to the back or interior of the display portion.

FIG. 12 illustrates another variation of the present invention. In FIG.12, the personal electronic display 2 is shown. The telephonetransceiver portion has a plurality of wheels or rollers 104. Theserollers are adapted to fit within the track 102. The present inventioncontemplates that the track may shallow near the top most portion of thetrack. The rollers 104 permit the telephone transceiver portion of thepersonal electronic device 2 to be slidable and/or glidable in order topermit separation from the PDA portion of the personal electronic device2 in a manner that provides a user with access to both the buttons 22 onthe cellular phone portion and the PDA display 38. Motorized functionalso facilitates these same actions. Once the telephone transceiverportion slides past the PDA portion it may lock in place. The cellularphone portion may lock in place to a spring hinge 100. The spring hinge100 allows the tilt position of the telephone transceiver portion to beadjusted.

Another variation on the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13 through15. In FIG. 13 the personal electronic device 2 is shown in a closedposition. In FIG. 13 there is an adjustment mechanism 106. In FIG. 14the telephone transceiver portion is slid through a track slot or otherstructure in an angled manner. This action is facilitated eithermanually or through motorized activation, or other forms of electronicactuation. As shown in FIG. 15, once the telephone transceiver portionhas been slid past the adjustment mechanism 106, the adjustmentmechanism 106 is depressed into the body of the PDA portion. Once thetelephone transceiver portion has been slid past the adjustmentmechanism 106, the PDA portion may be pivoted to a desirable viewingangle. The present invention contemplates that numerous mechanisms maybe used in a similar fashion to permit the telephone transceiver portionto upwardly slide along the PDA portion to a point where it will beadjustable. Electronic actuation, including motorized functionalityallow facilitation of the same action.

In FIG. 16, the telephone transceiver portion is removably attached tothe PDA portion. The present invention contemplates that the PDA portionand the telephone transceiver portion may communicate wirelessly throughany number of wireless protocols and standards. This physicalarrangement allows a user to access both the PDA display 38, the PDAbuttons 24, the telephone transceiver buttons 22 and the telephonetransceiver display for all simultaneously. In FIG. 17, the telephonetransceiver portion is fitted onto the PDA portion. The presentinvention contemplates that the telephone transceiver portion may belocked into place on the PDA portion or otherwise secured in any numberof ways. The present invention also contemplates that when in a lockedposition, the telephone transceiver portion may be in direct electricalconnection with the PDA portion to provide for the charging of batteriesin the telephone transceiver portion, the exchange of informationbetween telephone transceiver portion and the PDA portion, or for otheruses.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show another variation of the present invention thatallow a user simultaneous access to both the PDA portion and thetelephone transceiver portion. In FIG. 18, a hinge 108 is used. Thehinge 108 is a standard hinge such as may be used in a flip phone orother device. The buttons 22 are accessible from either side of thedevice. This can be accomplished in multiple ways. For example, two setsof buttons can be used where the buttons share an electrical contact.Alternatively, two sets of buttons can be used, each set of buttonshaving its own set of contacts. In this variation, the display 4 may bea transparent display. This permits the display to be viewed from eitherside. It is to be understood that the function of the buttons as well asthe display on the screen may need to be reversed or mirrored dependingupon the context of the use of the device. For example, when the hingeis in an open position than the display will provide a mirror image ofthe display image when the personal electronic device 2 is in a closedposition. The present invention also contemplates that instead of havinga single transparent display, there may be two displays, one on eachside of the telephone transceiver portion and both separate and distinctfrom the PDA display. In addition the present invention contemplatesthat instead of a display, a see through material such as a plasticmaterial may be used. When in a closed position, a user can see displayinformation through the clear plastic that is displayed on the PDAdisplay 38. When in an open position, the user can also still see PDAdisplay 38. In this manner, the user has access to buttons, both thetelephone transceiver portion and the PDA portion at the same time. Inaddition, the user can always see at least a portion of the PDA display38 regardless of whether the personal electronic device 2 is in an openposition or a closed position if a transparent display is used. Eithermanual operation or electronic actuation, including motorized functionsallow for the opening and closing of the device.

FIG. 20 discloses an example of the earpiece 10 of the presentinvention. The earpiece 10 is designed to be worn at the ear. As shownin FIG. 21, an external canal portion 58 of the earpiece 10 ispositioned in the external auditory canal. The external auditory canalportion of the earpiece includes a bone conduction sensor 60 and an airconduction sensor 62 located on a resilient member 78.

The present invention contemplates that the earpiece need not include aspeech processor or other processor within the circuit portion 58 of thedevice. The earpiece need only include a speaker, a bone or air sensormicrophone, and transceiver. Use of the earpiece with a bone conductionsensor 60 and an air conduction sensor 62 improves the quality of thesound. Where processing capabilities are not included within theearpiece 10, both a bone conduction sensor and an air conduction sensorcan still be used. For example, the transceiver used may be a stereotransceiver. This permits two channels of audio signals to besimultaneously transmitted. The PDA portion of the device may thenperform speech processing as required, instead of or in addition tospeech processing occurring within the earpiece. By permitting the PDArather than a portion of the earpiece to perform this processing, thesize of the earpiece may be further reduced.

A general description of the present invention as well as a preferredembodiment has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art willrecognize and will be able to practice additional variations and themethods and devices described which fall within the teachings of thisinvention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemedto be within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only bythe claims appended hereto.

1. A cellular telephone comprising: a telephone housing including afirst body and a second body configured so that said first body slideslongitudinally and upwardly between a closed position and an openposition relative to said second body, and wherein said housingcontains: 1) a cellular telephone module with audio input and outputincluding a cellular telephone transceiver; 3) a first short rangebidirectional radio frequency transceiver coupled to said audio inputand output of said cellular telephone module; 2) at least one radioantenna in said housing electrically coupled to said telephonetransceiver and to said short range bidirectional radio frequencytransceiver; 5) a ringer coupled to said cellular telephone and adaptedto optionally ring upon occurrence of an incoming call; 6) a vibrationmodule coupled to said cellular telephone module and adapted tooptionally vibrate on occurrence of an incoming call; 7) a personaldigital assistant module containing a first processor; 8) a displayelectrically coupled to said cellular telephone module; 9) a first setof input keys electrically coupled to said cellular telephone module;10) a second set of input keys electrically coupled to said personaldigital assistant; wherein said display is viewable in both said closedand open positions, and wherein at least some of said first or secondsets of keys are accessible in both said closed and open positions; anearpiece adapted to be worn in a person's ear, said earpiece having anexternal ear canal portion which is fitted to the ear and an earattachment portion fitted around the ear, said earpiece containing asecond processor, said second processor adapted to provide speechenhancement, said earpiece containing a second short-range radiotransceiver; a second radio antenna in said earpiece electricallycoupled to said second short range bidirectional transceiver; whereinsaid first short range bidirectional radio frequency transceiver couplescellular telephone call information from said cellular telephone to saidearpiece.